Agricultural crops: area

Rye and oats are being replaced by maize. This has impacted on the weeds and birds found on arable land.

Trends in crops

One of the most striking changes in the Dutch agricultural landscape is the change in the crops grown. In the first half of the 20^th century, much of the agricultural area was under rye and oats. But from 1960 this proportion shrank rapidly; today, hardly any fields of rye and oats remain. Since 1970 there has been a huge increase in the area of silage maize, a crop used to feed livestock.

Impact on weeds of arable fields

The change in crops and the associated intensification of land use have caused many weeds of arable land to decline. The fields of rye and oats used to harbour many species of weed. Only a few weeds are able to survive on maize fields, however: they include species such as red millet and cockspur, which can tolerate heavy manuring.

Impact on birds

Arable fields also provide a habitat for various species of bird. For some of these species, such as the ortolan bunting, the rise of maize has been deleterious. Others, however, including the lapwing, do nest in maize fields.

Technical note

The figures on trends in areas are from the CBS-Landbouwtelling.

References

• CBS (2001). Landbouwtelling 2001. CBS. Voorburg/Heerlen.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Black-tailed godwit, snipe, lapwing, ruff: distribution
• Breeding birds in the agricultural area on higher -lying sandy soils
• Corn bunting and ortolan bunting in the agricultural area
• Arable weeds: rye brome and swine's succory
• Central Bureau for Statistics: theme Nature & Environment